About the experience

Join us in the lush, green mountains of Berd to experience the first and only Armenian tea drinking ritual! We’re Darman Organic Herbal Teas, the only certified organic tea producer in Armenia. We source our herbal teas and flowers in the mountains around the town of Berd, where this experience takes place. First, you’ll select the organic herbs and flowers you want included in your own personal blend, learning about where they come from, how they’re used traditionally in Armenia, and their wellness properties. After brewing the teas, we will taste them together. To activate your sense of smell and enhance the tasting experience, we will also perform an aromatherapy ceremony, burning select herbs that have proven antibacterial properties. In fact, this was a common practice in old Armenian homes. Finally, we will guide you through a basic meditation session to end your experience. Before you leave, you’ll have an opportunity to purchase the unique blend you created, or one of our original Darman blends, at our production facility.

Book your experience
Day
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Time
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Guests
Adults
Min - 7 guests
What's included
Hosted by Gnel Nazaryan & Ruzanna Kartshayan
Hi! I’m Ruzanna, co-founder of Darman Organic Herbal Tea. My husband Gnel and I first became interested in the local herbs and edible flowers that grow abundantly near our home in Berd when we realized how beneficial they are to overall wellbeing and health. We created Darman to share the wonders of these herbs with the world. Wild edible herbs constitute a major part of local people’s diets to this day, and herbal tea drinking is widespread across Armenia. Despite its ubiquity, there is no organized tea drinking ritual in Armenian culture. So, we decided to create one! We can’t wait for you to experience the healing power of Armenia’s herbal teas with us.
Gnel Nazaryan & Ruzanna Kartshayan
Location
Berd
Things to Know
Not wheelchair accessible
Not wheelchair accessible
Family friendly
Family friendly
Set in nature
Set in nature
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Pet friendly
Pet friendly
Private tour
Private tour
Transport from Yerevan at extra cost
Transport from Yerevan at extra cost
Adventuring for Good

This experience has a sustainability score of X out of 5. Learn more about how experiences on this platform are scored here.


Here’s why this experience stands out:


Organic, Sustainable Agriculture: Darman is the only certified organic tea producer in Armenia, harvesting all its herbs locally and processing its tea blends in-country. By working locally they reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation, and promote the preservation of traditional knowledge and practices related to herbal remedies. The company provides employment to over 60 local people. 


Environmental Awareness: This experience takes place in the mountains of Berd, Tavush Province, where you’ll be immersed in untouched nature. During the tea ritual, you’ll learn about the uses and properties of herbs and wildflowers, fostering an appreciation for nature and encouraging responsible behavior towards the environment.


Customization and Personal Experience: You’ll actively participate in this experience, creating your own unique tea blend and discovering the properties of different herbs. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for wild herbs, as well as your own personal blend! Sense Activation and Wellbeing: This experience activates all five senses and will enhance your connection to nature, sense of relaxation, and overall well being. It promotes mindfulness and encourages travelers to be fully present in the moment.


Knowledge Sharing and Education: You’ll learn all there is to know about the properties of wild edible herbs and flowers on this experience. The experience aims to foster awareness about this aspect of Armenian culture and promote sustainable, healthy ways of living. 


Transforming the lives of local people through meaningful and sustainable experiences like this one is why we do what we do at 2492. We believe that Armenia can be a wonderful place to both visit and live in, which is why each of the experiences on this platform were thoughtfully built not only to connect you with local people and ways of life, but also positively impact the lives and communities that you encounter. Learn more about how we do this by visiting ONEArmenia, our nonprofit arm advancing sustainable travel in Armenia.

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